Beyond Salsa Piano - Volume 9 - Available Now!

Click to download the sample pdf. Beyond Salsa Piano Volume 9 is the fourth of four volumes featuring note-for-note transcriptions of one of the greatest timba pianists, Iván "Melón" Lewis and featuring extensive analysis and multiple tumbaos for the hits "Catalina" (I-IV-V variations) and "Se te fué la mano", "Con la punta del pié", "La tématica", "La soga" and "La competencia". Volume 9 also includes the cuerpo (verse) piano parts for each song. Beyond Salsa Piano is an instructional (eBook + audio), play-along history and anthology of the role of the piano in the Cuban rhythm section –from its first appearance to the present. This is the ninth book in a instructional series set to become the new standard for contemporary Latin piano styles. 130 pages (130 páginas) with 120 audio tracks (120 pistas).

leave a comment

continue reading Pa' Ponerte en Talla

hard-copy  --  eBook and audio files

At 130 pages, this is by far the most ambitious volume to date of the Beyond Salsa Piano series, almost twice as long as the other Melón volumes. It begins with the easiest Melón tumbao, Catalina, and simplifies it a step further with an introductory chapter on the time-honored I-IV-V-IV chord progression. But the gloves come off in Chapter 3. Since the series is chronological, this final volume contains Melón's most advanced work with Issac Delgado and goes on to cover the music he's recorded in Spain, including Me falta la Habana with Manolín and the amazing Movimiento from his 2010 CD Travesía.

There are also extensive chapters on Melón's playing on two Issac masterpieces which were only played live: La competencia (Hit Parade), and my all-time favorite piano tumbao, the legendary La temática.

The most dramatic difference between this volume and the eight that preceded it is the inclusion of cuerpos, mambos and transitions. On three songs, Se te fue la mano, Con la punta del pie, and La soga, we provide a full written part for everything Melón plays up to the improvisational open montuno section.

I'm already deeply embroiled in writing Volumes 10, 11 and 12 on Pupy Pedroso , and Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of Inside Cuban Percussion, featuring the amazing Calixto Oviedo . The long-awaited video product of Melón is still on the back burner, but the video has already been shot for Calixto - and it's amazing -- so the video will be part of the initial launch of the Calixto project. Drummers have been bugging me to do something like this ever since the first Tomás Cruz Conga Method came out in 2005. The wait will soon be over, guys, but start practicing your perididdles and 7-stroke rolls, because Calixto is going to rock your worlds!

leave a comment

continue reading La Última

Pre-sale is today July 29 from 10am to 10pm only. Click here for tickets and use the code word "venue" to get first dibs on tickets. Pre-venta de los bolétos para Silvio es HOY de las 10am a las 10pm. Tienes que usar el código "venue " para completar tu pre-venta. 

Cuban singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Pablo Milanés Arias returns to the US after many years beginning with a show October 10, 2010 at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles. Pablo is considered one of the founders of the Cuban "nueva trova" (new troubadour movement) along with Silvio Rodríguez and Noel Nicola. He is a pianist and guitarist whose Brazilian-like melodies set him apart from the raw style of Silvio Rodríguez. 

leave a comment

continue reading Pa' Ponerte en Talla

Patrick Bonnard is back with a report and photos from the July 13 concert a Le Zénith in Paris with Los Van Van and Oscar D'Leon. Here is an excerpt from his report.

  
Oscar D'Leon & Los Van Van photos © Patrick Bonnard used by permission

Le Zénith i s one of the main indoor locations for rock and pop gigs in Paris. As we all know, Elito Revé's participation for that long-awaited night was unfortunately cancelled. Expectations were still high and the fans had travelled to Paris from all across the country to be at these shows. Los Van Van opened at 20 p.m with "Arrasando". Show highlights included a thrilling performance of "Muevete" with participation of Juan Formell. Lele was loose and in infectious good spirits all night long, sh ining on "Me Mantengo". Yeni sang "Tu a Lo Tuyo , Yo a Lo Mio". Mayito certainly would have enjo yed to si ng more than a single "Si No Te Quieres Tú" but they wrapped up with the perfect show closer "Esto Te Pone La Cabeza Mala". Click here to read the full report and see the photos he sent us.

leave a comment

continue reading Timbera Mayor